No Castles Here by A.C.E. Bauer

Author:A.C.E. Bauer
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780375890796
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2007-10-23T04:00:00+00:00

Troubles

LOUISETTE’S STORY STUCK WITH Augie. Why had the town wanted to kill her, just because she was part fairy? Hadn’t she helped them? And it wasn’t fair that she had to hide who she was, everywhere she went.

On Sunday, Augie mulled over the story as he helped Mrs. Lorentushki put up the Christmas decorations. His thoughts were interrupted by Sergio, Fox Tooth, and Dwaine, who decided to heckle Augie as he strung lights across the porch roof on a ladder.

“There’s a tangle,” Dwaine called.

“Missed a post, Perfessor,” Sergio said.

“Don’t stick no fingers in no sockets,” Fox Tooth added.

Augie tried to ignore them.

“Go away,” Mrs. Lorentushki yelled. “Leave this place or I call the police.”

The boys laughed at the old woman, but at least they left. The good feelings Augie had gathered over the long weekend were beginning to evaporate.

On Monday, Mr. Franklin announced the songs they’d be singing for the holiday show—they already knew all but one. Yet nothing the chorus did that morning was right. They were all off key or off tempo. Kids kept mixing up the words. And Mr. Franklin, now directing from the piano, exploded at every mistake, occasionally banging on the keys in frustration. Even Augie, who usually had no problems, took a hit.

“More energy, Mr. Boretski. You’re not digesting a turkey, you’re entertaining a crowd!”

More than halfway through, Ms. Cofrancesco showed up. She listened for a few minutes as Audrey Motts kept breaking at the last notes of a verse.

“Ms. Motts, concentration!”

“Excuse me, Mr. Franklin,” Ms. Cofrancesco said.

Mr. Franklin frowned at the interruption.

“Five-minute break,” he announced.

The kids were relieved. Ms. Cofrancesco walked Mr. Franklin to the side and spoke in hushed tones. Augie couldn’t make out her words, but Mr. Franklin furrowed his brow and had a look that every kid in class knew meant they had better be very quiet that day. Mr. Franklin murmured something back, although Augie thought it sounded more like a series of growls. Ms. Cofrancesco didn’t like the reply. She started sounding angry, too. Their voices rose.

“I’m donating my time,” Mr. Franklin said. “All I ask is a little space and you won’t give it to me.”

“You don’t balance the books, Arthur,” Ms. Cofrancesco replied. “We can’t afford the oil!”

“When will this school understand that you can’t teach unless you give children something to learn?”

“We all support what you’re doing—”

“Like hell you do!”

Mr. Franklin stomped away. Ms. Cofrancesco looked even angrier than before.

“Attention,” Mr. Franklin told the students. “I have been informed by our principal that our music practices are straining the school budget.”

Ms. Cofrancesco looked like she was about to protest, but Mr. Franklin barreled ahead.

“It seems that the school has to turn up the heat, and Mr. Smith has to come in an hour earlier because we are here. As a result, Ms. Cofrancesco wants us to stop practicing.”

A chorus of protests came from the kids.

“No way!” Evelyn Carbón cried out.

“Not fair!” Jamil March said.

“We bust our butts,” Sergio said louder than the rest.

“Yeah,” Fred Washington said.

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